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Specialty Chemistry Forums => Citizen Chemist => Topic started by: Isi on February 11, 2020, 08:40:14 AM

Title: How to make In3+ from indium metal for electroplating process
Post by: Isi on February 11, 2020, 08:40:14 AM
 I'm trying to learn a process of nontoxic electroplating from a book which
suggests to use indium(III)  with chelating agent e.g. sugar alcohol

To quote from the page:
"Indium as In3+ :  Stable in alkali media with a solubility bottom limit for the molar ratio between In : chelating
compound = 1:5
* The chelating compound may e.g. be a sugar alcohol"

My request is how to make the In3+ from solid metal Indium.
Title: Re: How to make In3+ from indium metal for electroplating process
Post by: chenbeier on February 11, 2020, 10:36:49 AM
You have to dissolve Indium in hydrochloric or sulfuric acid.

2 In + 6 H+ => 2 In3+ + 3 H2

Title: Re: How to make In3+ from indium metal for electroplating process
Post by: Isi on February 11, 2020, 12:30:52 PM
You have to dissolve Indium in hydrochloric or sulfuric acid.

2 In + 6 H+ => 2 In3+ + 3 H2

Thanks @chenbeier , but wouldn't i have to still get rid of the chlorine or sulfur
in the solution so they wont disturb the remaining process? I mean I believe
you don't really get In3+ as instructed, but InCl3 or so, isn't that right?
Title: Re: How to make In3+ from indium metal for electroplating process
Post by: chenbeier on February 11, 2020, 02:05:13 PM
If you have a cathion here like  In3 + you will have every time some anions like Chloride, sulfate or others. It will not exists alone.

In plating copper for example CuSO4 is used. The anode is copper for dissolving the copper what on the cathode is plated.